Steven Blaney joining crowded Conservative leadership race

QUEBEC – Conservative MP Steven Blaney is joining the party’s leadership race.

Blaney, who had already filed his nomination papers on Wednesday, made an official announcement Sunday at the annual brunch of the Conservative association in his riding of Bellechasse-Etchemins-Levis in Quebec City.

READ MORE: Erin O’Toole launches leadership bid, Lisa Raitt steps down as finance critic to mull ‘future leadership’

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Blaney, 51, was first elected in 2006.

He was promoted to cabinet in 2011, heading the veteran affairs department.

Blaney was appointed public safety minister in 2013.

READ MORE: Tony Clement steps away from Tory leadership race

Other declared leadership candidates are Maxime Bernier, Andrew Scheer, Kellie Leitch, Michael Chong, Deepak Obhrai, Brad Trost, Erin O’Toole, Andrew Saxton, Rick Peterson and Pierre Lemieux

Former MPs Chris Alexander is expected to announce their candidacy soon.

MP Lisa Raitt and businessman Kevin O’Leary are also considering a bid.